Masters points for TLA participants

published:14 Oct 2009

Teachers taking part in the Teacher Learning Academy (TLA) are now able to earn credit towards a Masters degree. The new offer is the result of a partnership between the TLA, the professional learning community that provides recognition for practice-based learning, and the College of Teachers, which holds the Royal Charter for teachers’ professional qualifications.

All four stages of the TLA will qualify for the transferable M Level CATS (credit accumulation and transfer scheme) points. Currently teachers who successfully achieve TLA recognition at stages one to three can earn up to 60 CATS points through the award of a College of Teachers’ qualification. These points can count towards an education Masters degree taken at a higher education institute in England.

Sara Morgan, Head of Professional Learning at the General Teaching Council for England, which developed and leads the TLA, said:

‘We want teachers to get the most out of the time and effort they invest in their professional learning. Teachers tell me that a key benefit of the TLA for them is how it complements and maximises the benefits of many kinds of professional development on offer, helping them to root their learning in their every day classroom teaching.

‘It therefore makes perfect sense for teachers’ TLA learning to be recognised as part of the long term post graduate study that many will pursue by enabling them to accumulate CATS points for the work they have already produced through the TLA.’

Professor Alma Harris, President of The College of Teachers said:

‘We’re delighted to offer teachers involved in the Teaching Learning Academy well deserved recognition at Masters level. We believe that theory and classroom based learning are complementary and that teachers’ development will be most productive where these two elements inform one another. It’s deeply encouraging that teachers around the country will be able to benefit from this partnership.’

Notes to editors
Each stage of the TLA will be linked to a College of Teachers qualification:

• Stage one is linked to a Certificate of Education.
• Stage two is linked to a Diploma of Education.
• Stage three is linked to an Advanced Certificate of Education.

The recognition for completion of TLA stages can be awarded Credit Accumulation Transfer System (CATS) points at all stages by the College of Teachers. CATS points are recognised by all UK Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) as a way of quantifying achievement in a particular course and facilitating the transfer of that credit within and beyond theproviding institutions. These may be used to support Accreditation for Prior Learning (APL) within the College of Teachers and at HEIs in the UK and Europe under the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

180 CATS points in total are usually required for a Masters degree.

The award of CoT qualifications and CATS points will be ratified by the College of Teachers Awards Committee.

The GTC and the College of Teachers joined forces in June 2009 to support the national development of the Teacher Learning Academy.

About the General Teaching Council for England
The General Teaching Council for England is the independent professional and regulatory body for teaching in England. 540 000 qualified teachers are registered with the GTC.

Its principal statutory remit is to contribute to improving standards of teaching and the quality oflearning and to maintain and improve standards of conduct in the public interest. It works for children, through teachers.

About the Teacher Learning Academy
The Teacher Learning Academy is led by the General Teaching Council forEngland and delivered by Cambridge Education and helps teachers and schools to achieve professional excellence and gain recognition.Thousands of teachers are working through the TLA to share best practice, develop new knowledge and receive recognition for innovation demonstrated in the classroom.

About The College of Teachers
The aims of The College of Teachers are to advance higher standards, promote sound learning and advance the interests of education by supporting teachers and those who work with them.

It is the independent professional college for teachers in the United Kingdom, granted its first Royal Charter in 1849; it has been supporting educators through membership services and awarding professional qualifications under that Charter and its Supplemental Charter of 1998 for over 160 years.